Summary: It was almost comical that it took so long for Mr. Stark to introduce him to Pepper, but it was like the phrase said: there is no time like the present. Peter was just grateful that Mr. Stark and Miss Potts politely allowed him to relax in peace.

Prompt: Peter meets Pepper

Daring to move an inch Peter craned his head to look up the windows; the sun was still soaring up making him anxious of the time he was wasting with his episode. The little comfort he had from Mr. Stark was wearing down as he was in a different environment. At the time, he had thought it was a good idea to move away from his room. Now he was doubting the change, but it wasn't like he could ask to leave. He just got here; it had only been just ten minutes since he'd arrived at the new Avengers headquarters. It must have been a new record of being so useless and clingy.

The air was still thick within his lungs that it made it awkward for him to walk around when he couldn't breathe evenly or move his body without showing the distress he was feeling. This was what he was afraid of when he allowed himself to be coddled. It was as if he was a small child again. He wanted to be in a blanket burrito and pretend Peter Parker didn't exist. Being Spider-Man wasn't an option right now, not with prior experience of him trying to clear his thoughts while he was on duty. The time and place was difficult to find for him to be just one person.

In the beginning he was content with the separation of Spider-Man and Peter Parker. It made it easier to play both roles because there used to be a clear distinction of who he was and who he aspired to be. The life of a friendly superhero was not always glamorous but it was the hope and good he did that made him keep going forward. But the price he was dealing with made it a setback. His self-doubt multiplied when he got his spider powers. The physical upgrades were barely countering that kind of pain he had to deal with. Because Peter didn't feel like he was allowed to complain about his life, not with the many deaths that he's faced and possible tragedies he would have to face soon. He may have been a teen, but life was not pulling any mercy cards on him.

The world was far heavier than he predicted, all its roller-coaster twists were getting the better of him.

He edged closer to the windows as he ran a hand through his hair. The silence was getting too oppressive and far too common; he only felt grateful when it was cut by a pair of two feet walking towards his direction. He needed this kind of distraction. Anything to keep his thoughts at bay. When they came into view Peter noticed how Mr. Stark's casual wear was greatly contrasted with his fiancée's business shirt and pencil shirt. However, what they both had in common was the similar expressions on their faces of worry when they took in his body language and lack of a genuinely happy smile that was absent, instead it was hastily covered by a grimace of a hesitant smile that was plastered on his mouth when he greeted them.

Mr. Stark's fiancée may have never really made a huge appearance yet with all the work she was doing for the company and with the schedule conflicts he had with his own "internship" but, he knew enough about her and vice versa. Still, it was a little intimidating and nerve breaking to meet her in the flesh. Especially when Peter wasn't a hundred percent his usual self. It was just his luck that the universe wanted him to give off a bad first official impression to her. Awkwardly, Peter looked at Mr. Stark for guidance as if he was a little kid again in elementary school and was meeting his teacher. (He wasn't the only one that looked at the billionaire genius for something.)

When he coughed and opened his mouth for a quick introduction, something in Miss Potts' mind clicked as she approached the scene as she gently moved them to one of the common entertainment rooms. When they were seated Peter noticed there already was a prearrangement of comfort food and drinks that Peter identified as his go-to menu that he ate when he needed a break. It was surreal to have them all be lined up on the table because he remembered about the occasions when he off handily mentioned about them over the past months since he's met and was mentored by Mr. Stark. The TV was on menu with one of the latest Star Wars movies ready to be played. He was sure that they could read how grateful he was when he hovered at the boxes of pizza and bags of chips.

"I know we've never actually had a moment to get to know each other properly but," Miss Potts' voice was gentle and warm. "I want you to know that if whenever you feel like you need someone to talk to or listen to you I'm here." A playful grin appeared next. "I have a good pair of ears after all these years of babysitting Iron boy."

"Hey!"

Peter chuckled lightly as Mr. Stark made a side comment of being underappreciated but nonetheless shared the same sentiments.

Tentatively, he thanked them for all the trouble of setting up one of his remedies he did when he felt like crap. was the first to give him a half hug as he gestured for them to all get food and get comfortable. There was still some guilt that rode into his thoughts as he watched the first scene play out but when and Miss Potts smiled at him it gave him enough incentives to push his negative thoughts away. When the movie finished and a large portion of the junk food was gone, Peter's day was ending on a good note. He may have not of been cured of his insecurities or panic attacks but, he was reminded once again that he had more people than ever that were on his side to help him through when he was faced by his personal hell.

After they cleaned up the room Mr. Stark's eyes gleamed as he remembered what he was doing before Peter called him earlier in the day.

"Come on underoos, let's go to my lab. There's this new update for your suit that I want to get your opinion on."

As Mr. Stark started heading for his lab with Peter right behind him another voice called out.

"Tony don't you start getting too lost in your tinkering mode. Dinner will be in three hours. And Peter if you want to stay for dinner make sure to call your Aunt for permission."

They both answered in a chorus of:

"Yeah, yeah Pepper."

"Okay Miss Potts, it was nice meeting you!"

Once the elevator dinged Pepper smiled to herself as she looked at her schedule and started prepping for the last meeting she had before dinner.

"Boys with their science and labs."